Cutting new rubber
Equipment
Chris Portwood Asked 6 years ago
My last blade was cracked when I tried to kick save it. Unfortunately my shoe hit the but of the bat sending the blade directly into the back of a commercial door where it was crushed. Fortunately I already had replacement rubbers but had to purchase a new blade. When I tried replacing the rubber for the first time I had trouble getting a clean cut as well as finding a good surface to use to cut against that wouldn't pull too hard at the attached rubber.
Now to my questions...
- What do you recommend as a good blade to cut the rubber.
- How do I cut the rubber so that I don't tug on the rubber as well as get the cleanest cut.
Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago
Hi Chris,
I use a scalpel. I find that works well and gets a clean cut.
I put the bat on a flat surface and then work around the bat starting at one end and running it smoothly around. You may have to go over it a couple of time but if your scalpel is sharp it will only take one pass.
Others also use share scissors.
We have a video on this. Replacing Your Rubber.
Thoughts on this question
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Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
Chris, I too use a scalpel as, after some experimentation, I have found it gives the cleanest cut with the least effort (and hence lowest risk of an 'accident'). I do the same as Alois - I use an old, clean and flat wooden cutting board. Hold the bat in place with one hand applying enough pressure to ensure it doesn't move (but not too much) and run the scalpel around the blade. Don't push too hard on the scalpel - allow the cutting edge to do the work. You are better off running several light pressure passes rather than trying to force it to cut in a single pass. Hold the scalpel straight - making sure you are not under-cutting the rubber.
If using scissors, use small, extremely sharp ones, preferably curved ones. Cut with the 'back' of the scissors against the blade edge, i.e. the scissors curve away from the blade. This provides a very short contact/cutting point and allows constant contact between the scissors and blade giving the cleanest possible cut with scissors.
Good Luck
Chris Portwood Posted 6 years ago
Thanks!!!
I will have to get me a scalpel for the next time. Hopefully it wont be needed in the near future. Fortunately the tape is forgiving and keeps it from looking to bad but functionally it is fine. I was concerned for a minute though... the blade I was using was just too thin and I had not considered the surface I would use well enough until time to cut.
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
It takes a few goes to get the hang of it but once you do it isn't difficult.
Enjoy the new rubber.
Chris Portwood Posted 6 years ago
Again thanks..
I picked up a scalpel online for my next rubber change. It looks like most people like the 10a blade from my research. Is this what most people use? I would love to hear why either way.
As for the new rubber... I am liking the faster rubber and blade so far... It will take some time to get used to it as it is much faster than I was using before. I am happy with it as it is really giving me good feedback as to what fundamentals I am overlooking. It seems to make the tougher opponents a bit easier but makes me work a lot more against the defensive player.
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
I use the #10 too. I find it fine enough but not too flexible. Too much flex and you can lose control of the blade angle, meaning either a messy cut or worse, an undercut.
I had (still having) the same experience when I moved to a faster rubber.
Cheers